Diminutions - English meaning

noun

The reduction of the force, effect, or value of something.

Usage examples:

Human security required the attenuation of a wide range of threats to people

noun

The action of making something narrower by pressure or of becoming narrower; tightening.

Usage examples:

Asthma is a constriction of the airways

noun

The process of becoming smaller.

Usage examples:

The general contraction of the industry did further damage to morale

noun

A reduction in size or amount

Usage examples:

[ c ] an economic contraction, [ u ] heat differences cause rapid expansion and contraction of the …

noun

A situation in which less money is being earned, spent, or invested in a market or economy

Usage examples:

Michigan's economy experienced a contraction last year., (a) contraction in sth a sharp contraction…

verb

Restrain or keep in check.

Usage examples:

She promised she would curb her temper

noun

A check or restraint on something.

Usage examples:

Plans to introduce tougher curbs on insider dealing

noun

A type of bit with a strap or chain attached which passes under a horse's lower jaw, used as a check.

Usage examples:

Too often i see people with track horses, who they are afraid of, sticking a big curb bit in their …

verb

Reduce in extent or quantity; impose a restriction on.

Usage examples:

Civil liberties were further curtailed

verb

Present participle of curtail

Usage examples:

To curtail your holiday/spending, with all the snow, our daily walks have been severely curtailed.

noun

The action or fact of reducing or restricting something.

Usage examples:

The curtailment of human rights

noun

The action of reducing or limiting something, or of stopping something before it is finished

Usage examples:

She condemned postwar curtailment of civil liberties., the policy included insurance against cancel…

verb

Make an opening, incision, or wound in (something) with a sharp-edged tool or object.

Usage examples:

He cut his toe on a sharp stone

noun

A stroke or blow given by a sharp-edged implement or by a whip or cane.

Usage examples:

He could skin an animal with a single cut of the knife

verb

Separate with or as if with an instrument

noun

An act or instance of reducing something, especially expenditure.

Usage examples:

Cutbacks in defence spending

noun

A reduction, esp. one made to save money

Usage examples:

Cutbacks in public spending are expected in the next budget.

noun

A reduction that is made to save money

Usage examples:

The company has announced cutbacks in production due to falling sales., big/drastic/severe, etc. cu…

verb

Make or become smaller or fewer in size, amount, intensity, or degree.

Usage examples:

The population of the area has decreased radically

noun

An instance or example of becoming smaller or fewer.

Usage examples:

A decrease in births

verb

To become smaller or make something less

Usage examples:

[ i ] car sales decreased sharply this year., i haven’t noticed any decrease in ticket sales.

verb

Make or become less; diminish.

Usage examples:

The years have lessened the gap in age between us

verb

Present participle of lessen

Usage examples:

A healthy diet can lessen the risk of heart disease.

noun

A limiting rule or circumstance; a restriction.

Usage examples:

Severe limitations on water use

noun

The act of controlling, or something that controls

Usage examples:

[ c ] the major limitation of early record players was the short playing time of the records., [ u …

noun

Something that controls or reduces something

Usage examples:

Limitation on/upon sth there are strict limitations on where such businesses can locate., impose/pl…

adjective

Setting or serving as a limit to something.

Usage examples:

A limiting factor

verb

Set or serve as a limit to.

Usage examples:

Try to limit the amount you drink

adjective

Preventing you from having much choice

Usage examples:

Not eating meat or fish can be very limiting when you go to a restaurant.

noun

The action of moving someone or something in a downward direction.

Usage examples:

Conditions do not allow the lowering of a rescue boat

adjective

(of the sky) dark and threatening.

Usage examples:

A day of lowering cloud

verb

Move (someone or something) in a downward direction.

Usage examples:

He watched the coffin being lowered into the ground

noun

The action or fact of making something smaller or less in amount, degree, or size.

Usage examples:

Talks on arms reduction

noun

A limiting condition or measure, especially a legal one.

Usage examples:

Planning restrictions on commercial development

noun

Something that limits someone's actions or movement, or limits the amount, size, etc., of something

Usage examples:

[ c ] you can get a discount fare, but some restrictions (= rules about limits) apply.

noun

An official limit or control on what people or companies are allowed to do, or on what can happen

Usage examples:

Impose/place/put restrictions on sth this practice imposes unneccessary restrictions on employment.…

noun

The action or process of lessening the effectiveness, power, or ability of someone or something, especially gradually or insidiously.

Usage examples:

The greatest threat of all is the undermining of our constitution

adjective

Lessening the effectiveness, power, or ability of someone or something, especially gradually or insidiously.

Usage examples:

The last straw was an undermining comment questioning my skills

verb

Erode the base or foundation of (a rock formation).

Usage examples:

The flow of water had undermined pillars supporting the roof

verb

Make or become weaker in power, resolve, or physical strength.

Usage examples:

Fault lines had weakened and shattered the rocks